Armed Pilots Update

Introduced by Senator Jim Bunning (R-Ky.), S. 2268, and its companion, H.R. 4126—the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004"—seek to reform the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program by removing many of the obstacles in the Transportation Safety Administration`s (TSA) current program. The legislation requires that the TSA train airline pilots in a timely, efficient, and consistent manner.

The agency has continually come under fire for dragging its feet and refusing to properly implement the program. An April 2, CNSNews.com article found that the TSA has made the program cumbersome and discouraging for pilots, noting that less than one percent of the 40,000 pilots who signed up to participate have so far been trained.

Commenting on the current state of affairs, Senator Bunning said, "We`re not interested in any excuses from here on out. This is too important to our national security. It`s not up to them to like the legislation. It`s up to them to implement the legislation that the Congress passed."

Please be sure to contact your Senators and your U.S. Representative and urge them to cosponsor and support S. 2268 and H.R. 4126—the Senate and House versions of the "Cockpit Security Technical Corrections and Improvements Act of 2004." You can find contact information for your elected officials by using the "Write Your Representatives" tool at www.NRAILA.org, or you can call your U.S. Senators at (202) 224-3121 and your Representative at (202) 225-3121.